Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, and Blood Sugar

These nutrients are digested into
simpler compounds. Carbohydrates are used for energy (glucose). Fats are used for energy after they are broken into fatty acids. Protein can also be used for energy, but the first job is to help with making hormones, muscle, and other proteins.

Nutrients needed by the body and what they are used for

Type of nutrient

Where it is found

How it is used

Carbohydrate (starches and sugars)

Breads

Grains

Fruits

Vegetables

Milk and
yogurt

Foods with sugar

Broken down into glucose, used to supply
energy to cells. Extra is stored in the liver.

Protein

Meat

Seafood

Legumes

Nuts and
seeds

Eggs

Milk
products

Vegetables

Broken down into amino acids, used to build
muscle and to make other proteins that are essential for the body to
function.

Fat

Oils

Butter

Egg
yolks

Animal products

Broken down into fatty acids to
make cell linings and
hormones. Extra is stored in fat cells.

After a meal, the blood sugar (glucose) level rises as
carbohydrate is digested. This signals the beta cells of the
pancreas to release
insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin helps glucose
enter the body's cells to be used for energy. If all the glucose is not needed
for energy, some of it is stored in fat cells and in the
liver as glycogen. As sugar moves from the blood to
the cells, the blood glucose level returns to a normal between-meal
range.

Several hormones and processes help regulate the blood sugar level
and keep it within a certain range
(70 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL). When the blood sugar level falls
below that range, which may happen between meals, the body has at
least three ways of reacting:

Cells in the pancreas can release
glucagon, a hormone that signals the body to
produce glucose from glycogen in the muscles and liver and release it into the
blood.

When glycogen is used up, muscle protein is broken
down into amino acids. The liver uses amino acids to create glucose through biochemical reactions (gluconeogenesis).

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